THE EGG BREEDS 



49 



to four pounds being the average. They are very close 

 feathered, in this differing materially from the heavier 

 breeds. They usually have very clean shanks, which are 

 entirely free from heavy feathers, and rarely show stubs or 

 small feathers. They are neat in appearance, and their 

 carriage and attitude are trim and sprightly. As a group, 

 they have rather long legs. The bones are small, the flesh 

 hard. The head and body are always held erect, which gives 

 them rather a tall appearance. 



Fig. 34. — -The White Leghorn is the most popular of all egg breeds. A, A Leg- 

 horn hen showing great vigor and excellent utility form. B, The popularity of the 

 Leghorn is due to the large production of beautiful, white-shelled eggs. 



Disposition. — In disposition the egg breeds are very 

 active, both in the house, when scratching, and while ranging 

 in search of feed, when they will go long distances. They 

 have extensive powers of flight, being light of body and 

 strong of wing, which fact, combined with a nervous tem- 

 perament, makes them rather hard to confine. In tempera- 

 ment they are just opposites of the heavier breeds, being 

 rather irritable, nervous and easily frightened. These char- 

 acteristics, however, can be overcome by proper handling. 



